Arizona high school pulls book from curriculum

SIERRA VISTA, Ariz. — Sierra Vista school administrators yanked a book
from classes this week following parental complaints of sexually graphic
material.

The novel “Dreaming in Cuban,” a National Book Award finalist, has never
generated this sort of controversy before, said author Cristina Garcia.

Also, the American Library Association, which tracks books prohibited in
schools, says it has no record of “Dreaming in Cuba” being banned.

The book that follows three generations of women during the Cuban Revolution
was pulled from classrooms after a parent, Debbie Stoner, took her son out of
his 10th-grade English class after students were asked to read sexually explicit
passages aloud.

Barbara Hansen, a former Sierra Vista elementary school teacher, told the board
Tuesday that the book seemed like “child pornography.”

“We’re bludgeoning their souls with this kind of material. It’s debauchery,
and it’s just not worthy of our students,” Hansen said.

Garcia told The Associated Press on Thursday that students shouldn’t be
deprived of a broader, cultural experience.

“Many works, not just mine, are misinterpreted or misguidedly banned because
of the limitations and short-sightedness of a few,” said Garica, who added she
would be willing to visit Sierra Vista, which is about 70 miles southeast of
Tucson, and answer questions.

The book is listed on the state’s recommended core-curriculum list.

School curriculum director Terri Romo said she was told books are recommended
to show an appropriate reading level, not necessarily for purchasing.

Superintendent Kriss Hagerl says had the district been aware of the book’s
content, they would have had teachers provide an alternative option.

Hagerl said while she resisted banning books, she also wanted parents to have
an opportunity to give consent for books with sensitive material.

“We’ve learned a lesson in this, and we’ll make sure to put those steps in
place to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Hagerl said.